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Author: maria

Megan Bartholomew, Director of Programs

Megan Bartholomew

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Megan is the queen of our Ready Bag and playset programs, leading those teams’ operational efforts and constantly looking for ways to grow our mission to new heights.

With a degree in political science from Old Dominion University, Megan started with Roc Solid as an intern way-back-when, and was then hired as our first ever full-time employee (after Eric). She left for a brief period and then returned, because she truly missed loving and serving our Roc Solid families.

Nothing phases this girl. You’ll frequently hear her say “We’ll get it done,” and she does just that, always with our families top of mind.

Ashley Martin

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Ashley officially joined the Roc Solid team as Director of Marketing in 2017 after managing the organization’s brand and communications efforts as a volunteer for nearly seven years. She oversees all communication to volunteers, sponsors, donors and the public. She’s also Eric’s go-to for implementing “big ideas,” of which there are many.

Ashley graduated from the University of Central Florida (#goknightsgo) with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. For 10 years, she was senior account manager for Hampton Roads’ premier PR firm. She never planned to work in the nonprofit sector, but when this opportunity presented itself, she couldn’t say no.

Serving now as our Vice President of Marketing, Ashley is extremely passionate about Roc Solid’s mission, sharing its stories and maintaining its brand as the organization grows. And #shelikestocommunicate, so you’ll be hearing from her soon!

Adam Legault

Adam Legault

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Goooooood morning!

This is how you know our director of operations, Adam, has entered the room. Full of energy and at least a head taller than most of our team members, his presence can’t be ignored.

Adam is a graduate of the University of North Florida and worked in hospitality for nearly 30 years, holding positions such as regional vice president of operations. After leaving hospitality, he felt a calling to give back and do meaningful work, and we’re lucky he found us at Roc Solid!

In his role, he oversees all facets of the organization, working with the team to execute our Founder’s vision and paving the way to grow our programs nationwide. He’s a great problem-solver, extremely passionate about our mission, and loves working with the team to impact families during their toughest times.

Eric Newman, Chief Play Officer

Eric Newman

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Eric is the founder of Roc Solid Foundation. With his mind on the mission, he manages the staff and oversees all key initiatives, including children’s hospital partnerships, major sponsor relationships and Roc Solid’s strategic growth plan. He is also host of Roc Solid’s What Hope Looks Like podcast.

As a pediatric cancer survivor, Eric is all too familiar with the battle a family faces when their child is diagnosed. And that’s what drives him daily toward the vision of one day building hope for every child fighting cancer.

Eric is an avid reader and dedicated leader who speaks to large groups regularly, sharing his personal story. If you’re around him long enough, you’re sure to hear a metaphor or reference to a self-growth book he’s reading.

With a “think big, act small” approach, Eric puts the highest value on relationships and those who have supported the organization as it’s grown. He keeps Roc Solid staff members busy with never-ending “larger than life” ideas, always pushing the envelope and always with the mission in mind.

DaveWoolwine

Dave Woolwine

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

David F. Woolwine, Jr. is currently the President of the Paraclete Group a leadership coaching and organization development consulting company. Prior to this role, Dave was the Chief Learning Officer at Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, Virginia, a Human Resources Director for Inova Health System in Northern Virginia, a Senior Consultant with the Ken Blanchard Companies and the Founder and President at CD & Associates of Virginia.

David received his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Military Institute and his Masters of Education in Human Resource Development from George Washington University. David and his bride Cindy have three children and nine grandchildren.

His oldest grandson, Jackson, was the recipient of Roc Solid’s fourth playset build in 2010, and David can uniquely empathize with the families that are going through their cancer journeys. His favorite part is giving back to an organization that means so much his family.

As a kid, David loved to play football and baseball with his brothers and watch his sister ride horses.

Chessie Williams

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Chessie Williams is an HR professional with HR Signature Links and Proceed HR Consulting. She has more than 13 years of industry experience and resides in Chesapeake with her family. Chessie was drawn to Roc Solid’s mission following her sister’s battle with Leukemia; she is now a 30+ year survivor. She understands the impact cancer has on families and enjoys playing a role in giving back.

As a child, Chessie enjoyed playing tennis, being outdoors and spending time with family.

Aaron L. VanDyke

Aaron L. VanDyke

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Aaron L. VanDyke is Vice President at Ryan Homes overseeing the Atlanta area. He has been with Ryan Homes since 2003 working in Richmond, VA Hampton Roads, VA and Atlanta, GA.  Aaron grew up in New Kent County, VA and received his Bachelors of Science from James Madison University in 2002. He has two children, Lila and Camden, and married his wife Stephanie in 2010.

Aaron strongly believes in giving back to the community where he lives and works. Aaron became involved with Roc Solid in 2014 at a Play It Forward build.  Aaron served as chairman of the board for 5 years until relocating to Atlanta in 2021.  Aaron was touched by the foundations mission to help, love and serve families in the toughest time of their lives.  He is excited to continue to find ways for children and families to have fun while dealing with Cancer.  Aaron is excited to help spread the mission of Roc Solid to Atlanta and the South East. 

Larry Taylor

Larry Taylor

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Larry Taylor is a Founding Partner of CBT Integrated Logistics LLC. and President of GSI Warehousing Inc. His companies have been providing supply chain logistics solutions to import and export customers of the Port of Virginia for the last 15 years. He is also a partner in Honda of Norfolk, one of oldest and most respected Honda motorcycle dealerships in Tidewater. He has been a Roc Solid board member since November 2019 and has happily served on the Ready Bag Committee for the past 4 years.

Born and educated in Maryland, Larry relocated to Virginia Beach in 2007 with his wife Angie and three boys – Adam, Ethan and Chase – to better align his business with his customers’ needs and the port. Larry was first exposed to Roc Solid in 2015 during a chance encounter at the Night for the Fight where he participated in the “Nerf Gun Challenge” with his middle son’s soccer team. Since that night, he has had a passion for the Roc Solid mission to love and support these families on their darkest days. Seeing the smile on a child’s face as they come down a slide on their new playset for the first time, forgetting they have cancer just for a minute, is what continues to drive his passion.

Larry’s favorite childhood memories are fishing, swimming in the bay, and riding his bike with friends until the streetlights came on

AllanSivils

Allan Sivils

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Allan Sivils is owner and CEO of Sivils IT Consulting with nearly 20 years of experience in Business Information Systems. He has been a Roc Solid Board member since 2015 and also serves as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee for Roc Solid, a Board Member for American Red Cross and an active member of Boy Scouts of America.

Allan resides in Chesapeake with his wife Allisa, two kids Kate and Trent, three dogs and a fish! Roc Solid has become a major part of their lives, and they are always inspired by the look on the children’s faces when they see their new playsets for the first time.

Allan’s favorite sport as a kid was running. Allan ran his way to a college scholarship at Elon and continues to run today.

Eric Newman Chief Play Office Roc Solid Foundation

Eric Newman

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Eric is the founder and Chief Play Officer of Roc Solid Foundation who also sits on our board of directors. With his mind on the mission, he manages the staff and oversees all key initiatives, including Roc Solid’s strategic growth plan and major corporate partner relationships.

As a pediatric cancer survivor, Eric is all too familiar with the battle a family faces when their child is diagnosed. And that’s what drives him daily toward the vision of one day building hope for every child fighting cancer. He is an avid reader and dedicated leader who speaks to large groups regularly, sharing his personal story. With a “think big, act small” approach, Eric puts the highest value on relationships and those who have supported the organization as it’s grown.

Mark Mizelle, Board Member at Roc Solid Foundation

Mark Mizelle

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Mark has worked in the heavy construction business for 27 years and is the founder and president of ITM Construction, Inc., ITM LLC, and Pinner Street Investments. His construction company, along with supporting companies, provides subcontracting and construction of environmental facilities, earthwork, underground utilities, concrete and other construction trades.

Mark is a lifelong resident of Suffolk, Virginia. He and his wife Julie have two children, Tyler and Mallory. He and his family have supported the Roc Solid mission in many ways since it was founded in 2009.

Megan Korving

Written by maria on . Posted in Leadership.

Megan Korving is a Records and Stewardship Coordinator at an independent school as well as a mom of three children: Madeline, Mason and Ty. She has a background in Education, holding a Bachelors of Science in Family and Child Development and a Masters of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, both from Virginia Tech. Megan grew up and currently resides in Chesapeake, VA with her husband Stephen.

Megan first volunteered with Roc Solid at Night for the Fight and has been drawn to the mission ever since. She has been involved with the Ready Bag Program and is eager to help wherever needed, whether at a playset build, in the warehouse, or working on details and organization. She enjoys getting her family and friends involved, especially teaching her children the value of loving and serving others. As a child, Megan enjoyed playing outside, participating in sports and spending time with friends. In her free time, she loves time on the beach, reading, live music and spending time with family and friends.